Wahala Turn Bicycle! Well, Kasala took that quite literally.
It’s Throwback Thursday, and we’re revisiting the film Kasala, directed and shot by Ema Edosio. This film remains significant for addressing topical societal issues and its revolutionary, unconventional visual style.
Let’s dive in.
Plot and Story
The plot follows four teenage friends: Chikodi (Mike Afolarin), Abraham (Chimezie Imo), Effiong (Tomiwa Tegbe), and T.J. (Emeka Nwagbaraocha). T.J. takes his uncle’s car without permission for a joyride with his friends, but they end up crashing it. Desperate to fix the damage, they resort to shady schemes to secure the necessary funds.
Simply put, the film is about how these teenage boys secure funds to fix the damage. And, they’re in for comedic and hilarious experiences.
The story is different, quirky, relatable, unique, and unconventional, making it an intriguing watch. Released in 2018, this film stood out because teenage-centric stories were a rarity in Nollywood at the time. Even now, while there’s a growing interest in coming-of-age narratives—evidenced by recent films like Kunle Afolayan’s Ijogbon and the popular series Far from Home—Kasala remains unique as one of the pioneers of coming-of-age stories in Nollywood.
What sets Kasala apart is its bold approach. The film combines experimental comedy with a meaningful exploration of a controversial topic, which is not its central focus. This blend not only breaks away from the typical Nollywood formula but also sparks important conversations. How the film went about portraying this is interesting to debate about.
Visual and Cinematic Style
The film features good and interesting cinematography with some unique angles and shots. The fish-eye effect was beautiful and experimental, not something you would usually see in Nollywood films. The raw and unfiltered location sets—complete with garbage on the streets, untidy rooms, and dirty gutters, even “okada” onlookers —added to the story’s realism. The film was set in a real environment. The color grading effectively complements this with its gritty palette, although it falters in some parts due to poor lighting.
The film’s aesthetic encapsulates its genre and enhances the gritty, ghetto-like setting, underscoring the thrilling adventures and lightheartedness of teenagehood. The characters encounter a serious situation, made relatable and real by the setting, but their experiences unfold in hilariously relatable circumstances. It’s funny, but also profoundly reflective.
Director and cinematographer Ema Edosio uses the film’s look to heighten the genre’s unseriousness. Her approach is experimental, employing unconventional and unusual shots to capture unique, humorous angles that satirize society and the story. Edosio focuses on how visuals enhance comedy, not just the action and narrative. She utilizes long lenses to give characters a caricature-like appearance at times, showcasing their points of view. The film’s color palette is gritty with moderate vibrance, adding to its unique visual appeal.
We don’t see this unique visual style often in Nollywood comedies, even today, though there are a few exceptions. “Kasala” serves as a stepping stone, introducing this approach to Nigerian cinema and exemplifying Nollywood’s growth in combining fun and deliberate filmmaking techniques.
All these elements are brought to life through seamless editing, color grading, and good cinematography. However, there were continuity errors here and there, with long montages and slow-motion sequences that, while not bad, felt a bit lengthy.
Performances
It’s exciting to see many actors from “Kasala” who are now making big waves in Nollywood. Their performances are all good, believable, and come off as natural. Chimezie Imo’s character was quite silent, though he had his moments to shine. Following his recent win at the AMVCA, we’ve witnessed his growth in Nollywood.
Alongside him, Mike Afolarin and Emeka Nwagbaraocha (both featured in “Far from Home”) are outstanding actors whose performances and characters truly shine. Their growth in the industry highlights the film’s role as a stepping stone in their careers.
Kasala’s Sociocultural Impact on Nollywood Filmmaking
In a time when coming-of-age narratives were not apparent, Kasala experiments with its bold, gritty portrayal of teenage life in Nigeria. It serves as a pioneer in coming-of-age narratives within Nollywood, challenging conventional storytelling and visual styles. The film’s authentic depiction of societal issues gives a nostalgic feeling, making it relevant even today.
Director Ema Edosio‘s approach is experimental, employing unconventional and unusual shots to capture unique, humorous angles that satirize society. This visual style, rarely seen in Nollywood comedies, marks Kasala as a groundbreaking work in Nigerian cinema.
In the context of recent awareness raised by the Nigerian Film Censors Board regarding portrayals of homosexuality in Nollywood films, Kasala subtly addresses sensitive subjects within the confines of the law. This nuanced approach allows the film to tackle controversial issues without confrontation, reflecting the complexities of navigating societal norms and censorship in Nigeria.
By embedding these topics within a broader narrative, Kasala engages viewers in a deeper reflection on societal challenges, promoting dialogue and understanding in a subtle yet impactful way.
Kasala stands out for its bold narrative, experimental visual style, and authentic portrayal of teenage life, addressing and reflecting societal issues that contribute to important conversations about youth, societal norms, and filmmaking in Nigeria. The film’s impact on Nollywood is notable, pioneering coming-of-age stories and subtly approaching controversial topics within the context of Nigerian censorship laws.
But, one question arises. Do laws and ethical conduct by the NFVCB limit creativity on this topical issue? Well, Kasala proved not.